Introduction: In late autumn and early winter, many people start to use herbal pastes for nourishment. So, who are the suitable candidates for herbal pastes, and what are the common misconceptions about taking them? Below, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) expert will answer these questions for you.
Misconception 1: Taking herbal pastes as soon as they are purchased
Expert view: One prescription, one batch, per individual
TCM herbal pastes emphasize a prescription tailored to one individual, made in a single batch. A herbal paste is a formulation that integrates Chinese medicine, nourishing supplements, and related foods, prepared on a "one person, one prescription, one pot" basis, adhering to the TCM clinical principle of treatment based on syndrome differentiation. At the same time, herbal pastes stress individualized prescriptions and preparation, varying from person to person, with strong specificity and significant therapeutic effects.
It is unscientific for an entire family to share one herbal paste. Pastes should be taken under the guidance of a doctor. A person's constitution varies due to factors like age, gender, life circumstances, innate constitution, and postnatal conditioning. Therefore, the selection of formulas and herbs should also be tailored to the individual. Before choosing a herbal paste, the user should provide a detailed account of their own health condition to the doctor to facilitate syndrome differentiation and treatment. If one blindly tonifies the body without distinguishing between deficiency and excess or without proper syndrome differentiation, various adverse reactions may occur.
Misconception 2: Herbal pastes are only for nourishment
Expert view: Herbal pastes can be used to manage chronic diseases
Herbal pastes are widely used in southern China. Among the general public surveyed, a large proportion of those taking herbal pastes suffer from chronic diseases, and the pastes have been helpful in managing these conditions.
For women with issues such as visceral dysfunction, imbalance of qi, blood, yin, and yang, liver and kidney deficiency, depletion of essence and blood, qi deficiency and a weak spleen, irregular menstruation, or even amenorrhea and decreased ovarian function, taking a herbal paste after expert diagnosis and treatment can yield excellent results.
For middle-aged individuals with chronic diseases like coronary heart disease, the following principles should be noted when taking herbal paste: First, balance yin and yang, often using a combination of prepared rehmannia root, donkey-hide gelatin, astragalus root, and raw ginseng. Second, tonify qi and invigorate blood, harmonizing both qi and blood, commonly using herbs like raw Cyperus tuber and broadleaf galangal, which can both move qi and invigorate blood. Third, combine tonification with unblocking, balancing stillness with motion, by pairing tonic herbs with those that strengthen the spleen to transform dampness and invigorate blood to regulate qi in the paste. This prevents stagnation, overcoming the drawback of pastes being cloying while still allowing them to exert their nourishing effects.
In addition, herbal pastes have unique effects in regulating sub-health states and treating diseases such as senile dementia and insomnia.
Misconception 3: Since herbal pastes can treat illnesses, one should only take them
Expert view: Herbal pastes are a type of health product
Herbal pastes, also known as herbal extracts, are a common form of Chinese medicine used in health preservation and wellness. Although herbal pastes are beneficial, they are not a panacea. When you are ill, you still need to receive appropriate treatment based on your actual condition.
There are specific indications for taking herbal pastes for nourishment. These include middle-aged and elderly people in a sub-health state; patients in the recovery phase after a serious illness; those with a tendency to premature aging who need anti-aging support; and individuals with chronic diseases in a stable state.
For children, taking herbal pastes requires even greater customization. Taking herbal paste is not a trend. If a child is generally healthy and has no deficiencies or imbalances as defined by TCM theory, there is no need for them to take it. However, it may be beneficial if they suffer from recurrent respiratory tract infections, bronchial asthma, or delayed growth and development. Many parents buy and give their children autumn pear syrup, which is incorrect. Autumn pear syrup can nourish yin and clear the lungs and is suitable for a wide age range, but it is not suitable for children with a thick yellow tongue coating or heavy dampness. Furthermore, because most herbal pastes are quite rich and heavy, they can affect digestive function, so children with weaker gastrointestinal function should take them with caution.